For December 21st:

“…give thanks in all things.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We think a lot about gifts during this season. These words from Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, 2009, remind us that the most meaningful gift does not come from a store and cannot be wrapped in a package. We hope you will be inspired by these words to give gifts to God this Christmas. Counting blessings. Being Grateful.

CUMC Women’s Ministry

“…I could bless very God.

Not take anything. Not ask anything, demand anything, petition anything. I could simply give something to God. A gift to Him! Like He had given one thousand gifts, countless, gifts to me! This I could do! I look into the face of a painting, of Christ giving thanks and breaking bread.

God, He has blessed—caressed.

I could bless God—caress with thanks.

…

God…loves with grace upon grace, every moment a making of His love for us. And He invites the turning over of the hand, the opening and saying the Yes with thanks…  I embrace God in the moment. I give Him thanks …, making every moment love for Him…

This is what His love means. I want it: union. This is the one gift He longs for in return for His unending gifts, and this even I could give Him,…

…we’re called to do more than believe in God; we’re called to live in God. To enter into Christ and Christ enter into us—to cohabit. Is this why it is His will for us to always give thanks in all things—the unbroken communion (1 Thessalonians 5:18)?”

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, 2009